restaurants, table layout, and restrooms

i'm curious about perceptions from diners, owners, and servers

how do you feel about tables by the restroom entrances or kitchen/server areas?

how does it affect your meal?

does it matter?

**

thanks
shawn

Diner perception - of course it matters.

You don't want a swinging door distracting from your dinner experience, or the traffic associated with either the rest rooms or kitchen. Definitely a turn-off.

This is my second try. I better not try to touch type at this hour of the night. As to the question, I hate those locations. If someone is seating customers, these seats should be left for last. Thanks for asking.

[Robin Garr]

how do you feel about tables by the restroom entrances or kitchen/server areas?

how does it affect your meal?

does it matter?

TP hit the nail on the head, as usual: It's hard to imagine anyone <i>liking</i> these poor seats. The noise, traffic and interruptions throughout the meal can really spoil a dining experience.

It must be a really tough call for a restaurateur, especially if a place is popular. Tables are money, after all. But a table that makes a customer leave cranky and unhappy with the place might not be long-term money at all. If I owned a restaurant, I'd think long and hard before putting in a table that I was pretty sure most diners would hate.

We were at a place a couple years ago and I really can't recall where....but we were at a table near the men's room. There was no tall plant, or screen by the door and given the layout, you literally could see men at the urinal when the door opened. Needless to say...not an A+ location to eat a nice meal.

Worst place ever: the Loveless Cafe in Nashville TN.

We had a very good table, near a window. Great food. Place was painted last in maybe 1941? Floor at a 10 degree slant. But wonderful food, and packed.

Unfortunately, I had to "rest." To get to the men's room, I had to go to a table of ten, and the five on one side of the table all had to stand up and move out so I could make it to the bathroom (and again so I could leave). Very uncomfortable for everyone! We watched, and those poor people were moving every five minutes!

Second worst: Margie's Candies, Chicago IL

This is another WONDERFUL restaurant (mainly for ice cream and sundae's), but was grandfathered in to building code (it dates to 1921). Spectacular hot fudge sundae's! (the hot fudge is really hot, molten brownie mix I think).

Problem is that most of the booths have pillars somewhere, either in the middle of one of the benches, at the entrance, or similar. In order to get to the bathrooms here you don't really disturb too many people, but have to squeeze past some pillars; if you are larger than a size 12 for women or 42 for men, good luck! (And, if the last table has a person sitting in the aisle - a not infrequent occurance - again they must get up so you can squeeze through)


In both places, I guess it's part of the charm?

i'm curious about perceptions from diners, owners, and servers

how do you feel about tables by the restroom entrances or kitchen/server areas?

how does it affect your meal?

does it matter?

**

thanks
shawn

Yes, it matters from both a service and diner's perspective. No one wants to sit there. Too much activity and disruption. I would definately say you don't want tables there.

thanks everyone

it is not an issue at our place
and i agree with everyone's comments

this is more of a posts for someone else who is deciding an issue which relates directly to restroom and table arrangements

i hope they read this

shawn

I can't wait for the weather to change ...

Then I have an excuse to drive out to Charlestown to walk the dogs at Tunnel Mill, (Yep, I used to be a Boy Scout) and have a beer and sample some of your pizza!!!!

c'mon out dan
and the new boat ramp at charlestown state park is pretty sweet

see you soon

shawn